Heat Exchanger Optimization

A common problem in refineries and petrochemical facilities worldwide is the drop in heat exchanger efficiency in between turnarounds. Operators traditionally must make the difficult decision to run at low efficiency or stop production to clean the heat exchangers. ZymeFlow® Decon Technology offers an alternative approach to keep the process unit online.

ZymeFlow Decon has created a new proprietary blended chemistry, Rezyd-HPTM, to fluidize and/or dissolve hydrogen-deficient hydrocarbon deposits, such as those found in heat exchangers. ZymeFlow segments preheat trains into smaller exchanger groups that can be temporarily bypassed during normal operations. An LCO or diesel circulation is performed with the added chemistry and circulated for approximately 12 hours based on pre-engineered planning. Reverse flows or additional circulation on shell side may be added to the procedures based on each situation. The exchangers can then go back into service without the need for mechanical cleaning. These procedures can also be used during a turnaround to reduce the mechanical cleaning time.

Results from this treatment have shown between 70-85% regained heat efficiency. Depending on the severity, a preventative maintenance schedule can be created to avoid a full unit shutdown until the major turnaround when traditional mechanical cleaning can be completed for 100% efficiency.